Effective Foot Soaks To Banish Foot Odour

Foot odour or smelly feet can be really embarrassing for those suffering from it. There are two things that you have to deal with if you have smelly feet – bacteria and sweat. This condition usually takes place when your feet sweat excessively and it doesn’t evaporate, causing bacteria that smells foul. But there are many home remedies that can help you get rid of the foul smell. Here are some sure-shot effective foot soaks that help combat foot odour.

Smelly feet can be really embarrassing for those suferring from the condition

Baking soda:

Baking soda foot soak is effective to curb foot odour

Baking soda is known to neutralize the pH levels of sweat and curb bacteria. Make a foot soak by dissolving 2-3 tablespoons baking soda in half a bucket of lukewarm water. Dip your feet in this soak for 15-20 minutes every night before bed. Do this for a week or two to successfully banish smelly feet.

Lavender essential oil:

Lavender essential oil foot soak

This sweet smelling essential oil helps fight bacteria and also keeps it from re-occurring. Put 5-7 drops of lavender essential oil in half a bucket of warm water and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes.

Alum:

Alum is a good astringent with anti-bacterial properties

Alum powder is a good antiseptic with astringent properties. Mix one teaspoon of alum powder in one cup of warm water and wash your feet with this solution once daily. Pat dry, and use some talcum powder on your feet.

Epsom salt: Epsom salt, also called as sendanamak in Hindi, is really effective to combat foot odour. Mix two teaspoons of Epsom salt in half a bucket of warm water and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. Pat dry, and dust your feet with talc.

Black tea:

Black tea contains tannic acid which neutralizes foot odour and kills bacteria that produces foul smell. It also helps close pores and in-turn reduces the amount of sweat produced on your feet. Brew some strong black tea and add to half a bucket of warm water. Soak your feet in it for 15 minutes, gently massaging them in between. Do this daily before bed time for best results.

Apple cider vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar helps kill bacteria that causes foul smell

The highly acidic apple cider vinegar is also an easy solution to foot odour. Mix half a cup of apple cider vinegar in half a bucket of water and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes. Wash your feet with a mild anti-bacterial soap and pat dry. Do this twice in a week.

Sage: Sage is a fragrant herb with anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. You can either drink a cup of sage tea every night before bed, or soak your feet in this solution: Boil 1-2 teaspoons of dried ground sage in one litre of water, remove from flame and add one litre of water at room temperature to it. Soak your feet in this solution for 10 minutes every night.

Rosemary:

Rosemary foot soak is gentle yet effective to banish smelly feet

Rosemary is also an anti-bacterial herb with astringent properties. Make a solution with dried rosemary leaves replicating the recipe for sage foot soak mentioned above. As rosemary is mild, you can soak your feet in it for 20-30 minutes every night.

Ginger root:

Ginger can also get rid of foot odour

Ginger root, which is used daily in the Indian kitchen, is also very effective to curb smelly feet. It removes toxins as it is an anti-oxidant, fights infection and bacteria, and it’s also helpful in reducing inflammation. Make a paste of ginger root by blending it in a food processor along with some water. Add the paste to half a bucket of steaming water and let it seep until the steam stops rising. Now soak your feet in the lukewarm solution for 20-30 minutes. Do this every night for faster and more effective results.

Citrus-honey soak:

Citrus lemon soak to get rid of smelly feet

Squeeze the juice of two large lemons in half a bucket of warm water (you can even throw the rind in), and add one tablespoon of wild honey to it. Mix well with a wooden spatula and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes daily.